"It's tough to lose two great competitors. And really, those are really good guys. Those are good guys, and don't think for a second that because they made a mistake they're just awful people," Tate said. "It's a mistake that they must learn from and come back stronger than ever ..."

Thurmond will miss Seattle's next four games while Browner is reportedly facing a one-year ban, each having allegedly violated the league's policy on substance abuse. The NFL typically doesn't suspend first-time offenders under its substance-abuse policy, which means it's almost a certainty that Browner and Thurmond had previously run afoul of league rules. In that case, each would have been subject to frequent drug tests and suspensions should they fail them.

Tate said it was "definitely poor judgment" for Browner and Thurmond to slip up knowing the heavy scrutiny they're under, the severe consequences of their actions and everything that's at stake for the Seahawks, who are an NFL-best 10-1 and considered Super Bowl contenders.

"I'm not in their minds. I don't know what they're thinking and I don't even know the situation. I just know who they are on a regular basis," Tate said. "It's very unfortunate. It's very unfortunate. You would think that the guys would really find what we've got going more important. I don't want to talk down or bad about any of these guys, but what we have right now is way too important to jeopardize that, to yourself and to this team, because really you're affecting way more than yourself.

"I feel like that was kind of a selfish move on both those guys' part, but it is what it is. Like I said, the show must go on, and that's what we're going to do."